Makkah Al Mukarramah: Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs and Head of the Qatari Hajj Mission, HE Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, conducted an inspection tour of the Qatari pilgrims' camps in Mina and Arafat to review preparations and ensure the readiness of facilities and services ahead of the Hajj season.
The tour focused on assessing technical, organizational, and medical preparations to ensure Qatari pilgrims can perform their rituals in comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
HE the Minister was accompanied by Consul General of the State of Qatar in Jeddah HE Rashid bin Saeed Al Khayarin, Assistant Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs at the Awqaf Ministry Khalid bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, Deputy Head of the Qatari Hajj Mission Ali bin Sultan Al Musaifri, members of the advisory committee, and several heads of service and technical support units.
The tour began in Arafat, where officials from Makkah Hospitality Company briefed the delegation on development projects and service upgrades carried out at the camps. The company is responsible for preparing and operating the facilities for Qatari pilgrims.
Officials said the camps have been equipped in accordance with the highest standards and specifications approved by the Qatari Hajj Mission, providing a fully integrated environment focused on pilgrims' comfort and safety.
The Arafat camp has undergone extensive upgrades over the past two Hajj seasons, including improvements to infrastructure and service facilities. The camp features air-conditioned tents, furnished rest areas, cooling systems, paved walkways, and dedicated spaces for worship and relaxation.
The mission has continued to use heat-insulated PVC tents introduced last season, while high-efficiency air-conditioning systems have been tested to ensure their effectiveness during periods of high temperatures.
Pilgrims will be provided with seating that can be converted into beds, personal tables, and access to open buffet stations offering refreshments, beverages, and meals throughout the day.
The camp also includes eight fully equipped restroom facilities for men and women, designed in line with the highest standards of hygiene and safety.
As part of its healthcare preparations, the mission has established separate medical clinics for men and women in Arafat, equipped with consultation, examination, observation, and isolation rooms, as well as pharmacies and emergency facilities.
A fully equipped ambulance, a rapid-response scooter, and advanced emergency medical equipment have also been deployed to strengthen emergency response capabilities within the holy sites.
The healthcare team includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, and pharmacists who will accompany pilgrims throughout the Hajj journey to provide continuous medical support.
The mission has also provided dedicated facilities and services for elderly pilgrims and persons with disabilities, including specially designed pathways, entrances, and restrooms to facilitate mobility and ensure ease of access throughout the camps.
During a tour of Mina, Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs and Head of the Qatari Hajj Mission, HE Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, inspected the camps, which have been equipped to the highest standards and with the best materials. Separate camps have been designated for men and women, with all essential facilities and services provided for Qatari pilgrims during their stay in Mina.
Officials from Makkah Hospitality Company confirmed that the Mina camps are equipped with multi-purpose seating for each pilgrim, which can be used as a bed or a seat. Each pilgrim also has a dedicated dining and reading table, and each seat is equipped with an individual power outlet with mobile phone charging capabilities. Overhead lockers are also provided for storing personal belongings, contributing to the comfort of Qatari pilgrims and facilitating their daily needs.
The camps also include dining halls and open buffets stocked with refrigerators stocked with water, juices, and cold drinks. These facilities operate around the clock to meet the needs of Qatari pilgrims and provide them with the necessary food and beverages throughout their stay until the last day of Tashreeq.
At the conclusion of the tour, HE Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim commended the significant efforts of Makkah Hospitality Company and its ongoing cooperation with the Qatari Hajj Mission units in implementing and equipping the camps according to the highest organizational and service standards.
His Excellency also expressed his appreciation for the commendable efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HH the Crown Prince, and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the advanced facilities and integrated operational system they provide to serve the pilgrims, enabling them to perform their rituals with ease, comfort, and safety.
His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar, under the directives of its wise leadership, places the comfort and safety of its pilgrims at the forefront of its priorities. Through its official mission, Qatar continues to provide a comprehensive system of logistical, medical, and religious services according to the highest standards, ensuring a safe and convenient Hajj experience that reflects the State's distinguished image in serving Qatari pilgrims.
He pointed out that these efforts are in line with the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030, as well as with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs' strategy (2025-2030), which gives special attention to the Hajj file by developing the services provided to pilgrims, enhancing the quality of performance and beneficiary satisfaction, to achieve a model and safe Hajj experience befitting the pilgrims of the State of Qatar.
